13 Stunningly Beautiful New
Picture Books
by Janssen Bradshaw
Sometimes you pick up a picture book for the story, but sometimes it’s the illustrations that grab you — illustrations that make you stop and pause for an extra minute or two to pore every detail and marvel at how stunningly gorgeous they are.
These new picture books do just that. You’ll never tire of looking at these beautiful illustrations, no matter how many times your child wants to read the stories. You might even be tempted to buy a second copy so you can frame some of the art too!
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Lost Stick
Available from:The author of the popular children’s book That’s Not My Name brings us another adorable book that tickles the heart of any animal lover. Louise loves her dog Milo, and he loves her, too. When Louise throws a fetching stick too far for Milo to find, Milo is determined to retrieve the object to make Louise happy.
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Back Home: Story Time with My Father
Available from:Lune loves listening to the stories her father tells. His words transport her back to where he grew up in Haiti. The stories are filled with emotions, both good and bad, that envelop Lune’s heart. This beautiful book is about family and the bond between fathers and daughters.
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Mermaids’ Song to the Sea
Available from:This picture book is a must-read if you love books that rhyme, things of the sea, and gorgeous illustrations. Three mermaids close out the day by cascading through the ocean and singing blessings to each sea creature, both great and small.
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The Artivist
Available from:I love a good picture book showcasing how one person can make a difference. When a young boy combines his talent for art and his knack for activism, he becomes an artivist and creates art to change the world.
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Exactly as Planned
Available from:Most picture books give one point of view, but I love that you get to read both Moose’s and Fox’s experiences in this reversible story of friendship and spending time together.
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Is it a Seed?
Available from:Two young friends find a seed and use their imaginations to dream up all the things it can become. As it grows, the children’s curiosity and wonder take hold, and their dreams about this single seed bloom into something magical.
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What’s Inside A Bird’s Nest?
Available from:It’s always fun to find a good non-fiction book that will grasp a child’s attention through text and illustrations. Find out all there is to know about birds, their nests, and eggs with this gorgeous picture book!
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The Wild
Available from:From the author of the cutest Christmas book, The Tree That’s Meant to Be, comes a wonderfully bright and beautiful environmental story about the Wild. It focuses on everything the earth has given us and how humans can return the favor by caring for the environment.
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My Mother’s Tongues
Available from:As the daughter of immigrants, 16-year-old Sumi is amazed at her mother’s ability to switch back and forth between two languages. Throughout this story, Sumi recounts her mother’s immigration story and how she possesses two tongues.
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The Spark in You
Available from:The Spark in You celebrates being yourself. Your spark shines through your actions and is something others experience when you are your authentic, true self. Full of bright, bold illustrations, this picture book makes an excellent milestone gift.
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Weather Any Storm
Available from:Imagine yourself as a ship in the sea. Sometimes getting tossed to and fro, while other times quietly floating along and enjoying the ride. This book does a wonderful job of showing waves of emotions and how to navigate big feelings.
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Mamá’s Panza
Available from:A mamá’s panza is important. It takes care of babies before they are born. And now, Mamá’s panza is the soft place to land when cuddling or feeling nervous. This sweet book celebrates bodies of all shapes and sizes and the connection between mothers and their children.
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Editor’s Note: This article was originally published in 2016 and was updated in 2024.